Meet Our 2024 Imperial Scholar: Sandra Alarcón Escobar
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Sandra Alarcón Escobar, a master’s student in Metals and Energy Finance at Imperial College London, is BMO’s 2024 Imperial Scholar. Born in Chile, Sandra has spent her career in the Chilean copper mining industry and understands the importance of gender equality in the Global Metals and Mining industry.
“Today, the mining industry is so important in the net zero commitment. And also equal gender,” said Alarcon. “So we must be part of this.”
On September 25, 2024, BMO’s Equity Through Education program will celebrate 20 years of supporting scholarships, education, and inclusion by donating institutional equity trading commissions to charitable organizations.
Bill Smith:
We need more women in mining. So, we initiated a program working very closely with Imperial College and created A BMO scholarship. It is only available to one female student in the program, and we offer it annually.
Sandra Alarcon:
My name is Sandra LaVar. I was born in Chile. I'm a studying Industrial Civil Engineering, and also, I have an MBA. I've been working over 10 years in the copper mine industry. I’m proud to be the scholar this year. When I was studying my last year at the university, I went to visit the largest underground copper mining around the world. For me, it was impressive and stunning, so in that moment I decided … this is my place. Now I'm living in London, studying Metals and Energy Finance masters at Imperial College.
Bill Smith:
Imperial College is the home of the Royal School of Mines and is one of our partners on the metals and mining side, and they have a master's program for mining and energy finance. When we set up the program, part of our goals in developing a more diverse gender balanced industry in the mining side; we need more women in mining. And so it was a natural thing there to support the mining sector, but also to support the development and the leadership of women in the mining industry.
Sandra Alarcon:
This scholarship allows me focus on my studies, but also connect with people in the industry. It is not only a recognition of my career, it's also a recognition of the importance in the copper mining industry.
Bill Smith:
We created A BMO scholarship that built out a really nice sort of vertical of future leaders. So, it's been very exciting.
Sandra Alarcon:
Today, the mining industry is so important in the net zero commitment and equal gender. So we must be part of this.
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